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The Duchess Wears Eponine London for ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Musical

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The Duchess wore Eponine London for tonight’s special performance of Dear Evan Hansen, a musical playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in London’s West End.  

The performance was a fundraiser for The Royal Foundation. 

A video from Hello’s Danielle Stacey shows the pair arriving. 

 The couple entering the theatre.

Kate and William just inside the theatre.

Richard Palmer of The Express tweeted a quick video. 

 People reports that “The award-winning musical tells the story of a boy named Evan who struggles social anxiety and strongly wishes to connect with his peers — so much so that he fabricates a friendship with a deceased student in order to be closer to the boy’s family.”  Below, one of the special programs for tonight’s performance. 

A Daily Telegraph story reports “It is also widely regarded as the first major musical to put the subject of social media centre-stage.” Below, a quick video about the show from the Dear Evan Hansen West End Facebook page.  

Kensington Palace notes the show “has been credited with helping to start important conversations about mental health between parents and teenagers”. 

The musical opened in London in November 2019; it is also playing on Broadway, where it won 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Below, Benj Pasek, Steven Levenson, and Justin Paul at the London opening. Mr. Pasek and Mr. Paul wrote the music and lyrics while Mr. Levenson wrote the book for the musical.    

Tonight the couple met some of the writers and producers before the show, including the three gentlemen shown above.

The Evening Standard reports the couple spoke about the mental health theme. 

“Ten years ago, do you think this play would have been here?” William asked.

“I don’t think it would have even existed,” Mr Pasek said.

Another view of the Duchess. 
Duchess Kate Dear Evan Hansen pictures

Journalist Ahdeya Ahmed AlSayed was at tonight’s performance and shared a video of the royals as they headed to their seats. 

  After the performance, they met the cast.

And spent time speaking with them. 

I’m not sure what the Duchess is gesturing at in this shot.Another video from Richard Palmer. 

  A group photo.

The show is partnering with four non-profits, including the Shout crisis support line and Young Minds, charities supported by HeadsTogether.  In a program note William said: 

Catherine and I are delighted to join you this evening for a special charity performance of Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre. One of the issues that we care passionately about is mental health and we are pleased that Dear Evan Hansen is helping to start important conversations between parents and teenagers about this important subject. 

We are particularly proud that Shout, a mental health support service launched by the Royal Foundation, is one of four not-for-profit partners of Dear Evan Hansen providing mental health resources to audiences of the show.

Proceeds from sales of special Dear Evan Hansen London Fan Art Totes (£15) will also benefit the charities. Many thanks to my friend Janet for letting me know about the totes.  

Below, Kate as she was leaving the theatre.

Now for our look at what Kate wore for this evening’s benefit.  

The dress was by Eponine London, from the label’s AW ’18 collection. 

Done in black bouclé, the piece features a fitted bodice with rhinestone or crystal buttons, an oversized collar, elbow-length sleeves, and a pleated, full skirt.  Below, a closer look at the fabric and buttons. The images on the left and in the center are from this evening; the shot on the right is from the product page; it looks like Kate’s buttons are different from those shown on the model.

Other Eponine designs the Duchess has sported include a green sheath worn for February 2019 school visits; a blue dress seen for a January 2017 visit to the Anna Freud Centre (the dress was repeated for engagements in Yorkshire in 2018); and a retro-inspired skirt suit first worn in March 2016 (that was repeated in March 2017).

The Duchess brought back her Jimmy Choo ‘Romy’ dégradé glitter pumps.

The style features a pointed toe, 3.9″ heel and shimmering glitter atop suede in a pattern that fades from ‘dusk blue’ at the heel to silver at the front of the shoe. We show the style at Jimmy Choo ($725) where it is in stock in most sizes; it is also offered at Bloomingdale’s in most sizes ($725) and at Neiman Marcus ($725) in limited sizes. It is on sale in limited sizes at Net-a-Porter ($435). It is also offered in a 2.5″ heel at Jimmy Choo ($725). 

It looked like Kate was carrying a Jimmy Choo clutch that matches the heels, the brand’s Ellipse Dégradé Glittered Leather Clutch ($995). The bag is covered with glitter that darkens from top to bottom; it is lined in leather and measures roughly 8.5″ x 5″. 

Many thanks to Innominate and Heaven on Twitter for their help on the ID. 

The Duchess wore her hair down and brought back the Queen’s chandelier earrings, shown lower right in the inset. 

The Duchess has also worn them for state occasions, including the diplomatic reception and a state dinner. 

One more photo from this evening. 

VIDEOS:

Kensington Palace put together a quick video from the night featuring the show’s iconic ‘You are Not Alone‘ song.  

 

 

This Daily Mail video has 30-seconds showing the couple arriving. 

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Shannon

Monday 2nd of March 2020

I don't really know what to think of the dress but i love the shoes and clutch.

Larissa

Sunday 1st of March 2020

Since I moved to London last year I have made an effort to go to the theatre once a month, and I always go mid-week and make an attempt to dress up – needless to say, I was really looking forward to Kate's outfit at this event for inspiration! Sadly, I was a bit disappointed with Kate's look. That she would wear heels instead of boots (as I would) was an expected difference, but the dress itself I found to just be odd for the occasion. I love the material, it's just the combination of other elements that seem off to me. The three-quarter length sleeves on their own are alright but seem really at odds with the length of dress, a length which I find difficult to get right in any circumstance. The glitter seems a bizarre choice and I wish she had just gone with elegant black accessories instead, perhaps one of her jazzier McQueen clutches with an intricate clasp would have provided the pop she was going for?

Overall, not terrible, but I'm not rushing to imitate this look for my next theatre visit. ;)

Emily

Tuesday 3rd of March 2020

Yeah, me neither. This seems a bit....undressy to me. More appropriate for a day visit somewhere. I loved what she wore to this event a few years ago--I think it was "Hello, Dolly!" and she wore a GORGEOUS ruby red lacy dress. Loved it!

Marguerite

Friday 28th of February 2020

A final thought: with sleeves that length I would definitely have worn a bracelet! I have a chunky black one by Pellini that would have been just right.

Marguerite

Friday 28th of February 2020

I am chiming in rather late here, but since this outfit has been so polarising I just wanted to say that I love it. In my opinion the dress is elegant and beautifully cut with a lovely New Look feel. The Duchess is so slim that she is able to wear a pleated skirt in this heavy fabric and still look good. I especially love the buttons, which really lift the dress and make it so appropriate for a visit to the theatre. It looks like a dress that would be comfortable to sit in too, which is always a consideration. And as another member of our WKW community pointed out, these days people just do not dress very formally to go to the theatre in London. Sad but true! As to the accessories, I think the chandelier earrings are beautiful and have loved them ever since their first wearing during the early US tour. Had I been styling the outfit myself, I would have worn the sparkly shoes with a plain bag or vice versa, but not both together. I very much liked another person’s suggestion of the Manolo Blahnik black satin high heels with the diamanté buckles. That’s what I would have chosen! On a different note, remembering how thoughtfully the Duchess and her team select her outfits for public engagements, I am sure that Bethan Holt in the UK Telegraph was spot-on when she pointed out that Jet Shenkman, the founder of Eponine, is also a counsellor who has established a low-cost therapy service. It would be so like our gorgeous Duchess to make that connection and choose a dress by Eponine to wear to Dear Evan Hansen, a musical with the mental health of teenagers as its theme. There! I’ve had my say!

Erica

Tuesday 3rd of March 2020

I did not know that about the designer! I didn’t love the dress on Kate’s body type, as I don’t think it flatters her longer torso— but hearing this about the designer is so touching!! It makes me feel bad for even caring about the dress, when the designer is doing such great things! Perfect choice :)

Suzanne E Harley

Thursday 27th of February 2020

This is one of my favorite looks for Catherine. That dress is gorgeous and looks so good on her. And then to pair it with the sparkly shoes, purse and jewelry was inspired. People don't dress up for plays in London which is one of the things that make me love the beautiful and elegant dress she wore - not over the top glam but paired with the fancy accessories. Her hair was perfect and she looked to be in her element.

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